Omar Fayed awaits Egypt decision as Mohamed Abdelmonem injury threatens November camp

Egypt’s squad for the November Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers is not yet fully settled, with Frosinone defender Omar Fayed waiting for a final decision on his possible inclusion.

The Egyptian Football Association said the national team’s squad was complete despite Fayed not having arrived at the camp. However, the defender is currently in Egypt in case he is called up.

Frosinone had included Fayed among its players selected for international duty, although his name was not part of Ali Maher’s initial Egypt squad.

The Egyptian Football Association contacted Maher after the Italian club’s announcement. The manager did not object to placing Fayed on the standby list, with the possibility of calling him up if Mohamed Abdelmonem is unable to take part.

Egypt’s medical staff are currently assessing Abdelmonem’s condition after his injury, and he is increasingly likely to miss the present camp. Once his absence is confirmed, Maher will make the final decision on whether Fayed joins the squad for November’s matches.

Egypt will face Malawi on 13 and 17 November in the third and fourth rounds of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition.

The Pharaohs are in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi. They lead the group with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third with three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.

Egypt began the qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola in Cairo before recording a 5-0 away victory over South Sudan.

Egypt squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mehdi Soliman, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Alaa.

Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh”, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mahmoud Marei, Mohamed Hany, Karim Hafez, Ahmed Fattouh, Tarek Alaa.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shehata, Nasser Maher, Ibrahim Adel, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Haitham Hassan.

Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim, Mahmoud Mamdouh.